World War I: Bombers

The first incursions with Caproni bombers begin in the summer of 1915 over Aisovizza and Castagnevizza in Slovenia. In February 1916, Oreste Salomone bombs Ljubljana together with another seven three-engine planes. In 1915-1916 a ‘mass’ use of the air force begins, subsequently confirmed in the following years: in 1917, for example, several dozen Caproni bomb Fiume and the naval bases of Pola and Cattaro. It becomes obvious that the airplane outclasses the airship in terms of load capacity, speed and cruising range. In 1917, 1,200 missions are accomplished, with 200 tons of bombs dropped. In 1918, the number of missions rises to 2,600 with approx. 400 tons of explosive ordnance. The work done by the Air Force is accompanied by that performed by the aircraft of the Italian Royal Navy.